cadet blogs

Here at the Academy, family is important. They are your rock and are ready to support you through all the challenges you face while here. For me personally, I don’t know what I would do with out my family. From the day I received my acceptance letter until now, they have supported my decision and helped me through the rigors of cadet life.

As a high school senior, my parents drove me up to the Academy and made me at least walk around the campus, even though I had told them, “There is no way I will go to an academy”. They pushed me to at least look, and this encouraged me and soon I fell in love with the idea of becoming a cadet. My parents helped me through the application process – painstakingly reading my essays to ensure they were perfect. And when the application was sent, we all longed to hear news. On that cold November night when I received the call that I had been accepted, I ran around the house screaming and who was right there with me – my family. They dealt with helping me find those ridiculous “motivated socks” and the “white/blue/grey shoes” and the week before R-Day, and then they helped me pack all of the items I would need for Swab Summer in one small backpack.

My family supported me all throughout Swab Summer; they constantly sent letters and care packages. If I thought I was having a rough day during the summer, I think my parents had it even worse. They had to deal with knowing that I could not see or talk to them for six weeks. They had to deal with the challenges of being “Academy Cadet Parents.”

And even after Swab Summer had ended, they continued to support what I was doing and me. Once sailing started, my parents drove up from New Jersey and visited me at regattas. They brought with them comfort food like Oreos and cheese doodles. To this day, my parents still drive up to watch a few of my regattas.

I could tell how much my parents cared about me just by their actions. I knew I could call them if I needed someone to complain to or if I was having a rough day. Every morning my mother still texts me “Good Morning” and at night “Good Night. Love you.” And it is these simple little things that keep me going. I know my parents love and support me and will continue to do so. I don’t know how I would get through the Academy without my family.